The fifth book of the New Testament has been known from ancient times as The Acts of the Apostles; but this title cannot be found in the book itself. One of the earliest manuscripts, the Codex Sinaiticus,gives as the title the simple word Acts, with no mention of the apostles. There is a reason for this. Actswas intended to be more than a brief history of the service rendered by the twelve disciples, much morethan the principal events in the lifework of its four leading characters, Peter, James, John, and Paul.The book of the Acts was written by "the beloved physician," Luke, a Gentile convert, for the wholechurch, Jews and Gentiles alike. While it covers a period of a little more than three decades, it is filledwith important lessons for the church in every age. In the book of the Acts God clearly indicates thatthe Christian today shall experience the presence of the same Spirit who came with power at Pentecostand fanned the gospel message into a flame. The acts of the Holy Spirit through Peter and Paul, Johnand James, and others, can be repeated in the modern disciple.The abruptness with which the book of Acts closes is not accidental; it deliberately suggests that thethrilling narrative is unfinished, and that the acts of God through the Spirit are to have their sequelthroughout the Christian dispensation--each successive generation adding a chapter full of beauty and power to the one that preceded it. The acts recorded in this remarkable book are in the truest

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sense the acts of the Spirit, for in apostolic times it was the Holy Ghost who appeared as the counselor and helper of the Christian leaders. At Pentecost the praying disciples were filled with the Spirit and preached the gospel with power. The seven men chosen as deacons were "full of the Holy Ghost andwisdom." Acts 6:3. It was the Holy Spirit who led in the ordination of Saul (9:17); in the acceptance of Gentiles into church fellowship (10:44-47); in the separation of Barnabas and Saul for missionary work (13:2-4); in the Council of Jerusalem (15:28); and in Paul's missionary journeys (16:6, 7). Another timewhen the church suffered intensely at the hands of Roman and Jewish persecutors, it was the Spirit whosustained the believers and kept them from error.

The Acts of the Apostles

was one of the last books written by Ellen G. White. It was published a fewyears before her death. It is one of the most illuminating volumes that came from her prolific pen. Theaverage reader will find in it light for Christian witnessing. The message of the book is up to date, andits relevancy is reflected in the effort of the author to show that the twentieth century will witness a bestowal of spiritual power exceeding that of Pentecost. The work of the gospel is not to close with alesser display of the Holy Spirit's power than marked its beginning.That the reader might participate in this re-enactment of the glorious scenes of the early church and atthe same time be preserved from the subtle counterfeits of the enemy of souls is the prayer and earnestwish of--The Publishers.

Acts of the Apostles by E.G White

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1. God's Purpose for His Church

The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and itsmission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God's plan that through Hischurch shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church,those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. Thechurch is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually bemade manifest, even to "the principalities and powers in heavenly places," the final and full display of the love of God. Ephesians 3:10.Many and wonderful are the promises recorded in the Scriptures regarding the church. "Mine houseshall be called an house of prayer for all people." Isaiah 56:7. "I will make them and the places roundabout My hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season;

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there shall be showers of blessing." "And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall beno more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. Thus shallthey know that I the Lord their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are My people, saith the Lord God. And ye My flock, the flock of My pasture, are men, and I am your God,saith the Lord God." Ezekiel 34:26, 29-31."Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there beafter Me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Saviour. I have declared, and have saved,and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are My witnesses." "I theLord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for acovenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisonersfrom the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house." Isaiah 43:10-12; 42:6, 7."In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit thedesolate heritages; that thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Showyourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall nothunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for

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He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them. And Iwill make all My mountains a way, and My highways shall be exalted. . . ."Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hathcomforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted. But Zion said, The Lord hath forsakenme, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have